Biography

Sullivan has been an integral
part of the Holy Cross rowing program for more than three
decades. He graduated from Holy Cross in 1970 after rowing for four
years and serving as co-captain in his senior year. He began
coaching the Crusaders in 1974 as the men's junior varsity coach
and assumed head coaching duties in 1975 and has served in various
coaching positions for both the men's and the women's squads.
In his 34 years as a coach, he gave uncountable hours to both
coaching and fundraising efforts.

The rowing program had its most successful season in 2002.
That year, the varsity men's eight won the New England Rowing
Championhips and captured the Men's Team Trophy. The men's
lightweight eight also won the Patriot League Regatta and finished
second at the Avaya Collegiate Championships. The team also earned
an invitation to the prestigious Eastern Sprints and participated
at the Royal Henley Regatta. Sullivan was voted New England Men's
Coach of the Year in 2002 and was awarded the irow.com coaching
award with Coach Patrick Diggins in the same year.

Sullivan oversaw the program's development from a regional program
to a national player. When he took over, the Worcester City
Championship was the highlight of the annual schedule. Over
the course of his career, he helped propel the program to
membership to the Eastern Association of Rowing Colleges
(EARC).

After a 34-year coaching career, and 42 years since he first
stepped foot on campus as a freshman, Sullivan retired. By
then, rowing had become a perennial participant in the
Intercollegiate Rowing Association National Championships and
appeared in the national Top 20 rankings. As a tribute to his
numerous contributions to the program, boats were named after both
he and his wife Kathy.

College of the Holy CrossDepartment of Athletics 1 College Street Worcester, MA 01610